Sydney, Australia, Wednesday 22 April 2026 – New research reveals a disconnect in how Australian dog owners think they show love for their pets through their daily actions.1 While dog owners see protecting their dog's health as a sign of love, many are still hesitant or lacking parasite prevention routines.1
The new national survey of dog owners, commissioned by Zoetis Australia, found that 86% believe health-related behaviours are one of the key ways they show their dog love. Three quarters of dog owners (75%) stated that they show love to their dogs by giving regular parasite protection and over half (69%) take them to the vet routinely.1 Roughly four in five (83%) also say they'd be willing to give up on certain lifestyle comforts if it meant their dog could never get parasites, confirming strong understanding of the damage parasites can cause to dogs' health.1 While good intentions are there, nearly half (47%) still express hesitation about giving dogs routine parasite treatment.1
A parasite is an organism that lives on or in another living being, like our pets, and gets its food from or at the expense of its host.2 In Australia, dogs can be exposed to a variety of external and internal parasites, with many dogs acquiring some type of parasite in their lifetime.1,3 Internal parasites, such as multiple types of intestinal worms and heartworm can lead to malnutrition, gut disease, heart and lung disease and other serious illnesses, that can even be deadly. For external parasites like fleas, ticks, and mites, common symptoms include intense skin irritation, anaemia (blood loss), and even paralysis and, sadly, death.3,4
Seeing dogs as part of the family helps explain the importance owners place on their dog's health and wellbeing. That emotional bond even extends to Australians' love lives, with the survey revealing around one in 10 owners would trust their dog's judgement when selecting a romantic partner.1
As someone who knows first-hand how much time and emotion can go into searching for love, Grayson McIvor, Married at First Sight contestant and proud dog owner says his 11-year-old labradoodle, Champ, has shown him exactly why caring for a dog's health is such a meaningful expression of love.
"Champ's been my sidekick for over a decade now. When you love your dog like family, looking after their health is one of the clearest ways to show it. People spend a lot of time looking for love, but dogs give you unconditional love every single day. Life gets busy, and I know that first-hand, but staying on top of Champ's parasite protection is just one of those non-negotiables for me, no matter what else is going on," says McIvor.
The changing climate and other factors allow parasites to thrive for longer periods and in new geographical areas, so routine parasite protection is more important than ever.4 Veterinary experts agree that the best protection against parasites is prevention, through the regular and consistent use of parasiticide treatments.4 There are several options when it comes to parasiticide treatments, including injections, topical spot-ons and – most popular – easy-to-give flavoured oral tablets, like Simparica Trio®. Dog owners are encouraged to consult with a vet to help ensure their dog has the right protection.
Dr Evan Shaw, a veterinarian and a founder of Fleamail, an online parasite subscription service, says the challenge is that parasite risk is not always obvious, which is why prevention needs to be routine, not reactive.
"Because we are humanising our pets so much, we tend to believe their health routines and practice are quite similar to ours. But when it comes to parasite prevention, risks and approaches, they are vastly different. Parasite prevention in dogs needs to be a continuous and life-long consideration," says Dr Shaw.
The new survey confirms around one in three dog owners report their dog has contracted a parasite at least once, with fleas (53%) and ticks (48%) being the most reported.1 This means over two million Australians have had to deal with a parasite impacting their dog's health, but the level of confidence among dog owners when it comes to knowing what to do varies. Owners feel more confident when it comes to treating fleas – 46% say they know exactly what to do. But confidence levels are much lower for ticks (36%), intestinal worms (30%) and heartworm (27%).1
Importantly, the survey also reveals that experience alone does not guarantee a strong understanding of best practice when it comes to parasite prevention.
Dr Shaw adds: "I often come across a belief that exposure to parasites can be controlled. And while there are certain hygiene practices that can positively impact this exposure, it's important to recognise that parasites are ever present and no dog, even those living inside, is risk free. Having a product like Simparica Trio® as part of dog's regular parasite prevention plan can help provide peace of mind for dog owners and ensure they are on top of parasite protection."
While parasites aren't in the top five reasons for veterinary visits, the broader cost and disruption of dealing with parasite-related health issues can be significant.5 Many dog owners cite costs as one of the main barriers to regular parasite prevention through medications.1,6 For 13% of dog owners or over 900,000 people that believe they only need to treat their dog for parasites if they see symptoms, lack of parasite prevention routines can end up costing thousands of dollars in treatment, depending on the type of parasite.1,7
Dr Christopher Ng, Veterinary Operations Manager at Zoetis Australia, emphasised the importance of vets and dog owners working as a team to discuss clinically proven parasite prevention options that help minimise risks.
"We recognise the realities of dog ownership, the joy, the chaos and many things that aren't always in our control. But staying on top of parasite protection is one way we can proactively care for our beloved pets," say Dr Ng.
"Veterinary teams have the knowledge and experience to discuss parasite prevention and recommend the best approach. Luckily for many dog owners, it can be as easy as giving a monthly, tasty chew, like Simparica Trio®, which is proven to prevent fleas, ticks, mites, intestinal worms, mosquitoes and deadly heartworm disease, all in one easy monthly dose."
In scenarios where a dog does not receive regular treatment, it is important for dog owners to speak to vets to understand the risks this may present. Dog owners can also use an online tool to assess which parasites their dog needs protection from, based on the state they reside in, as well as other animals and people they may be coming in contact with: https://www.zoetispets.com/en-au/dog-healthcare/parasites-assessment/
